TIPS FOR TOURISTS

MONGOLIA IS ONE OF THE SAFEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD but like in many other countries tourists need to be aware of the dangers and apply common sense

Be careful when you are in the market, shopping centers, museums and theatres, and also on public transport. We have pickpockets in Mongolia too!

If you have lost anything or had something stolen, you should report immediately to the nearest police station or polive officer.

It is better to buy souvenirs, precious things, cashmere and leather goods in shops and ot from street vendors and get receipt and custom certificate from the shop.

Please do not buy anything precious, antique items and products of animal origin offered by individuals.

It is not a good idea to walk around suburbs and dark places in Ulaanbaatar after 11:00pm. If you will go out to nightclubs or bars leave your valuables in a safe place.

In the countryside you should carry your own first aid kit and any necessary medicines.

Do not litter the surroundings and always carry a bag for rubbish when traveling in the countryside. Do not harm the environment, flora and fauna.

Most of Mongolians are Buddhist, but Mongolians are very tolerant of other religions. When visiting Buddhist monasteries and temples, you need to take into account the following in order to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

Do not dress immodestly when you visit a Buddhist temple, and take your hat off.

Do not take photos or videos of anything or anyone without permission

Do not make a loud noise or smoke inside.

When entering a temple do not step on the door threshold.

Never touch the Buddha images and other things in the temple because these are considered sacred.

CULTURAL TIPS

Please

Keep your hat on when entering a ger, if you are wearing one, but lift it as a sign of greeting

Receive things with the right hand or both hands and ensure that your sleeves are rolled down.

Ensure you remove your gloves when shaking hands, if you are wearing them.

Walk around inside the ger in a clockwise direction.

Receive food, a gift or anything similar from a Mongolian with both hands or with the right hand supported at the wrist or elbow.

Take at least a sip or nibble of the delicacies offered pick up things with an open hand, with your palm facing upwards.

Crab the hand of Mongolian if you have accidentally kicked their feet sit with your feet underneath you of cross-legged.

Leave a small gift, other than money, for your hosts.

Please don’t

Let a spot or fence come between you if you are walking with Mongolians.

Whistle inside a ger or house.

Let your feet point in the direction of the altar (which will be in the north side) when sitting in a ger.

Let people walk over your outstretched legs

Tread on the treshhold of the ger when you walk over it

Lean against a support column furniture or wall of the ger.

Stamp out a fire or put water or any rubbish on it; fire is sacred

Walk in front of an older person

Turn your back to the altar and religious objects at the back of the ger

Have long conversations in your own language in front of hosts who don’t understand it